By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
When a mighty tree falls in the forest, its echo rumbles beyond the borders of the land. Such is the story of Chief Benjamin Ukachukwu Okorie, the titled Ngozichukwunyere I na Umuguma, whose earthly journey came to an end in 2025.
Born in November 1945, this son of Ogbosisi Umuguma, Owerri West, lived a life that read like a book of valor, service, and legacy.
Chief Okorie’s life was not just a passage through time but a tapestry woven with courage, sacrifice, and triumphs. In the words of Chinua Achebe, “A man who has never submitted to the tradition of his people is like a tree without roots.” Okorie stood deeply rooted in his land and people, leaving behind footprints that can never be erased.
From his early days at Trinity College, Oguta, young Benjamin showed sparks of brilliance that would set him apart. He became the first in Umuguma to break through the wall of the Cambridge International Examinations, conquering both O Level and A Level at a time when such feats were rare jewels.
As a teacher, he lit the torch of knowledge in many, proving that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” as Nelson Mandela once said.
When the storm of war shook the land between 1967 and 1970, Okorie answered the call. He served as a Biafran Intelligence Officer, standing in the line of fire when survival demanded more than courage.
After the dust of battle settled, he laid aside the sword of war and took up the pen of service. Joining the East Central State Civil Service, later Imo State, he served at the Board of Internal Revenue, as a tax collector, and as a licensing authority. His work left indelible marks in the civil and public service across Okigwe, old Imo (Aba) and present Imo State.
Beyond service in government, Chief Okorie was a man of faith and community. He was the first Catholic Knight in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Umuguma, and a foundational pillar of the church itself. His knighthood in the Order of St. John International (KSJ) testified to his devotion to God and the cause of humanity. To the Catholic faithful in Umuguma, his name was not just on the register but etched into the very bricks of the church.
As a titled chief, Ngozichukwunyere 1 na Umuguma, he became a beacon of inspiration. His voice, his presence, and his deeds inspired many to walk the path of integrity both in community and in government service. A man of unusual strength, he was also known as a boxer and traditional wrestler in his youthful days, carrying the physique of a lion and the spirit of a fighter.
His personal life was one of deep family roots. Chief Okorie is survived by his beloved wife, Lady Rose Okorie, and seven children who carry his torch into different corners of the world.
They are Ikemefula, a psychiatric nurse in the UK; Ukachukwu, a publisher, writer, and poet; Ijeoma Iroegbu, a teacher and evangelist; Ngozi Ibezim, a nurse in the USA; Ogechi, an insurance executive in Abuja; Chukwunyere, also in the UK; and Kelechi, an economist based in Owerri.
Proverbs say, “The wealth of a man is not measured by gold or silver, but by the children he leaves behind.” Indeed, Chief Okorie’s children reflect his values of knowledge, service, and resilience, standing as living monuments to his greatness.
In the streets of Umuguma, in the pews of the Catholic church, and in the dusty records of Imo’s public service, his name will always resound. For those who wrestled with him, worked under his leadership, or prayed beside him, Chief Okorie was more than a man — he was an institution.
As the family announces that interment details will follow, the community reflects on his journey with gratitude and pride. The passing of Chief Okorie is not a silence but an echo, reminding us that “When the cock crows at dawn, it is not only for itself but for the whole village.” His crow has ceased, but its sound will continue to stir hearts for generations.
Chief Benjamin Ukachukwu Okorie has joined the ancestors, but his legacy, like the mighty Iroko, will shade generations yet unborn.
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